Herpes Know Everything About It!

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Sexual contact is the primary way that the virus spreads. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in your body and can reactivate several times a year.

Genital herpes can cause pain, itching and sores in your genital area. But you may have no signs or symptoms of genital herpes. If infected, you can be contagious even if you have no visible sores.

There's no cure for genital herpes, but medications can ease symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others. Condoms also can help prevent the spread of a genital herpes infection.

Fast facts about herpes:

• There are two types of herpes simplex viruses: HSV-1 (herpes type 1, or oral herpes) and HSV-2 (herpes type 2, or genital herpes).
• More than 50 percent of people in the United States have HSV-1.
• Around 15.5 percent of people in the U.S. aged 14-49 have HSV-2.
• HSV-1. This is the type that usually causes cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. HSV-1 is often spread through skin-to-skin contact, though it can be spread to your genital area during oral sex. Recurrences are much less frequent than they are with HSV-2 infection.
• HSV-2. This is the type that commonly causes genital herpes. The virus spreads through sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact. HSV-2 is very common and highly contagious, whether or not you have an open sore.

Symptoms

Most people do not experience symptoms for months or years after becoming infected. Those who do have symptoms during the initial period will usually notice them about 4 days after exposure (the average range is 2-12 days).

Primary Infection Symptoms

• Blisters and Ulceration on External Genitalia , or on the Cervix
• Vaginal Discharge
• Pain and Itching
• Tender, Enlarged lymph Nodes
• Pain when Urinating
• Fever
• Cold Sores around the Mouth
• Red Blisters on the Skin

In most cases, the ulcers will heal, and the individual will not have any lasting scars.

Recurrent infection symptoms

Symptoms that occur in a recurrent infection tend to be less severe and do not last as long as they do in the primary infection stage. Typically, symptoms will last no more than 10 days and include:

• Burning or Tingling around Genitals before Blisters appear
• Women may have Blisters and Ulceration on the Cervix
• Cold sores around the Mouth
• Red Blisters

You can only get Genital Herpes from vaginal intercourse and not anal or oral intercourse. The fluid present in the sore of a genital herpes patient has infected fluid. If the fluid comes in contact with their partner’s sexual organs while having intercourse they can be easily infected.

There is no cure for genital herpes. But the symptoms can be lessened and prevented with treatment. Treatment can also reduce the risk of infecting others.

• Try to have sex with people who have been tested negative for herpes or any other STDs.
• Use a latex condom while having sex. It prevents any sort of liquid to pass inside your partner’s genitalia.